Why Manny Padilla still rides the LRT?

From manufacturing rubber slippers to packaging food products, Manny Padilla is involved. For our bachelor – whose businesses include water bottling and the production of toys and computers – the planning and development stages are intriguing; there is always something exciting about them.

But once the business is up and running, Manny’s ardor is less pronounced. He assigns the details to employees and leaves them in charge. Selling the items and delivering the products become the responsibility of his management team. Even his student dormitories are run by his capable staff, giving Manny the joy of pursuing new deals.

Easy to like, very comfortable to talk with and a gentleman, Manny Padilla, 43, is half-Spanish. His daily rides on the LRT to visit his factories on Blumentritt, Avenida Rizal have kept him in touch with his Filipino roots. Studying at Xavier School spiked his love for Chinese culture and history.

What is your passion?

I am passionate about many things: my business, sports, art. Everything I do has the intensity of my efforts. That is what creates the magic.

Which living person do you admire most?

Pope John Paul II. His charisma is incredible. When he came here, crime stopped completely. Everywhere he goes, crowds gather.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

Every conflict has a formula for fixing. Besides, the day you find that you have no problem is the day you have no progress.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Sitting in Boracay reading a book at Friday’s resort.

What book influenced your life?

I have read so many. I keep 10 books by my bed. Reading is so important. It makes you grow.

What is your greatest fear?

Maybe I am afraid that my loved ones might get hurt because I wish them well all the time. I don’t fear death.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Greediness in my business passion.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Lying.

What is your most fervent wish?

Being self-serving or nationalistic, I want the Philippines to be progressive. People are moving forward in other countries like Australia and Spain.

How do you start your day?

I read the papers then go to my factories by LRT and MRT.

What is your current state of mind?

I’m passionate about wanting to export to Japan.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My computer equipment. I have a G3 MacIntosh with studio display and I want to upgrade it to G4.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

The first emperor of the Chi Dynasty who was buried with all the terra-cotta warriors. Imagine, when the Philippines was discovered, he was already building the Forbidden City.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement was also my greatest failure. I tried to market the first Filipino computer called Chico. My dream was to have Philippine computers in every barrio and around the world. We had almost 400 employees. We could not compete with the smuggled computers from Taiwan.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

The times I spent with my father, Tito Padilla.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

To suffer injustice in the hands of an evil person.

What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?

I choose class over sexiness.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

All men should be gentlemen who respect women.

What is your greatest regret?

I would have liked to go to the PMA for a few years.

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E-mail: babycamp2 @yahoo.co.uk